My husband and I recently started watching House of Cards. I know, we’re very late to the Card game, and I'm aware some characters are gonna get killed, but I’m totally addicted and it’s awesome. I feel alive again! I haven’t been this hooked since Breaking Bad, and with that I was watching in real time, waiting each week for my Walter White fix. We did binge on The Wire (also late to that game), but back then I was breastfeeding Elena, and totally distracted and “mom-brained.” Also, at the risk of starting a big riot here, I like House of Cards better than The Wire. (What, what!?) But that debate’s for another post…Anyway, I believe this kind of addiction is GOOD FOR YOU if you use responsibly.THIS IS HOW WE DO IT:We watch one episode a night, after we get the kids to bed and the next day's lunches made, etc. It’s not really “binge-watching,” since we typically watch only one at a time. It's more like “habit-watching.” Or, "CO-HABIT-WATCHING," if you watch together.THIS IS WHY CO-HABIT-WATCHING IS GOOD FOR YOU:Healthy KidsYou’ll be motivated to get your kids to bed early! Better for them, better for you. I know, most people don’t need extra incentive to get their kids tucked away as soon as possible, but it helps to have a Kevin Spacey cliff hanger hanging over your head. Our kids are now in bed by 8 every night! Predictability is key for children (so I’ve heard).Happy MarriageThey say when you’re alone with your spouse, you should try to talk about things other than kids, money, and work. Now we’ve got plenty: Clair’s conflicted conscience, the fate of Freddy’s BBQ Joint, how much Rob looks like Corey Stoll…

Better for your WalletWe were thinking of hiring a sitter and going out for dinner this weekend, but we didn’t want to miss a night of the show.Improved Sex LifeOk, admittedly we’re usually too tired after we watch. Yet the naughty scenes do remind us that we could do that too, one of these days... Good Birth ControlLet's face it: You will inevitably choose watching more episodes over making more babies.A FEW DRAWBACKS TO CO-HABIT-WATCHING…WaitingBoth spouses have to be available. Last night Rob said he might want to take a night off and do work! Luckily, I talked him out of it. Nothin' gonna break-a my stride.Question-MonstersThis one’s for Rob. I probably double the time he would take to watch by himself, thanks to all my questions. It’s not my fault. Sometimes my mind wanders -- usually when old men are talking -- and then I’m not sure what I missed. (I think this also happened in 10th grade American History class, which is why I now have so many questions about the Legislative Branch.) RiskThere’s always the chance that your four-year-old will wake up and emerge right in the middle of someone getting shot or fucked. I'm not ready for that explanation. At least not in the middle of a juicy episode!What about y’all? Are you Pro-Co-Habit-Watching? You can vote here!

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Marian Belgray's an L.A.-based standup comic and writer/producer who's contributed to HBO, Cinemax, Nickmom, Comedy Central, Pampers, Funny or Die, and ​Parents.com, with articles and comedy videos.Marian’s performed at clubs around Los Angeles, including The Comedy Store, The Improv, IOWest, UCB, The Virgil, and Akbar. She's the creator and host of CUFirstTuesday, a comedy show the first Tuesday of every month in Silverlake, and a certified writer for Comedywire. She posts about her thoughts and biznatch here and on social media. She hopes you appreciate it.You can follow her here: